I Tried Cycling For 1,574 Days, this is what happened

[@michaelgraycycling]

I have just uploaded the race that follows up from this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHKnfqiemr6Laq8

[@maniac0303]

Cancer... I also have cancer. After a lung operation, still undergoing immunotherapy, I am still riding my bike. But it was really hard to get up again, but I did it! In the winter my FTP dropped to 140 watts (from 300 watts the year before) because of the chemotherapy, where I was more dead than alive. Now I am back up to ~260 watts and can keep up with my way younger teammates. I am now 52 years old...

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@maniac0303 glad to hear youre back on the bike and your fitness is coming back. Well done for get up again must hve been hard! It sounds like things are going in a positive direction for you with it?

[@maniac0303]

​@@michaelgraycycling Yes, I am doing well.

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@maniac0303 brilliant 🙏

[@molon___labe]

That is awesome! Makes me motivated even more knowing I don't have any excuses to hit my goals and win some races!

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@molon___labe go do it 🔥

[@PhilippHofmann28]

wow, sometimes the algorythm gives you youtube gold. micheal this video is stunning, you´re Hero.

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@PhilippHofmann28 many thanks for this comment. Hopefully it keeps sending you more gold! 🙏

[@zimmejoc]

I've never raced but every time I throw my leg over my bike, I've won.

[@michaelgraycycling]

Keep getting your leg over 👍

[@EstebanGamboaDev]

this is one is deep!

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@EstebanGamboaDev hope you enjoyed the video

[@MFR03]

i am a cyclist since 20+ years. what made me most emotional was that your docs spared you of chemo. i had 4 yrs ago nominal and high dose chemo with stem cell transplantation. i am so happy that i cycled for so long due to that i could regain fitness again on a good level (compared to non endurance patients). whatever comes along in your life good endurance helps! keep on cycling!

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@MFR03 thanks for this comment. I was very fortunate to be spared of chemo. I was very lucky that I found it early to the point where it was able to be a option which was also fuelled with leading a healthy lifestyle to back it up. I’m happy to hear you’ve made a good recovery and regained good fitness. People truly take it for granted. Not just for the physical benefits but even for the reassurance it gives you mentality. Keep on cycling too 🫡

[@nomad6987]

20days back i started cycling, and got knee injury due to high saddle, hope i will ride soon

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@nomad6987 if you can get yourself a bike fit it will help a lot. Also put your cleats as far back as you can i believe that’s supposed to help. @bikefitjames has some good content on it.

[@im-on-youtube]

what an ad for cycling! amazing journey, all the best!

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@im-on-youtube thanks a lot 🙏

[@jtmuso]

What an amazing journey. We hear so much about the winners and perhaps rightly so, but it’s the stories of the (very fit) average Joe’s (and Jo’s) that are more inspiring. Good luck in your progress 💪

[@michaelgraycycling]

Thank you very much for your kind words 😀

[@suedepede]

Good for you getting back on the bike after breaking your shoulder. I broke my scapula and some ribs in April, just as I was becoming fit, and it crushed my enthusiasm. Staying off the bike for five weeks really hurt my fitness, but I’m finally getting it back.

[@michaelgraycycling]

Yea I imagine the ribs being quite sensitive with the on bike positioning when they’re broke 😢 always seem to happen when getting strong eh. Glad to hear your back on the bike. When I came off, it was right before the Tour de France, so my turbo time I could just watch that which helped!

[@felipeprenholato2301]

Lovely history man. This video will certainly inspire people. Cancer is a common illness nowadays, my wife had it 3 times now and I managed to convince here to get a MTB so we can do some travels and exercise. She loved. Cycling is the best way to get health :).

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@felipeprenholato2301 I hope she’s all clear now? And that great she’s got a bike. Not just for the amazing health reason, but also the brilliant memories you can both make together.

[@SuperCrex]

You have an amazing story. I pray you never have to deal with cancer again. Keep putting in work. From your fellow enthusiast. Godspeed.

[@michaelgraycycling]

Thank you 🙏 Hope you enjoy the rest of this channel :)

[@elcobrochard9517]

Super inspiring video, stopped for a while after a small crash. Gonna hop on in the weekend! Thanks for the motivation ❤

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@elcobrochard9517 you’re welcome. Have a great ride this weekend 👌

[@blazwecycling]

Your video had been popping up on my home screen for the last couple of weeks, and I kept ignoring it. Today I thought, ‘Alright then, let’s see what it’s about.’ What an entertaining way to tell your story! Your grit is exemplary, and thanks for sharing it with the rest of us. Now, off to watch the follow-up race video!

[@michaelgraycycling]

Haha I’m glad you finally clicked and enjoyed the video! 😁 I should have another race video coming out today or this weekend too 🫡

[@Steve-jo3cl]

Mate congrats on discovering cycling its a fantastic sport, dont worry about the winning the true joy is the journey you have undertaken, thats the real win !!! And maybe that win will come ive ridden for 30 years never really raced that much until the last few years and ive won 4 of the last 5 crits ive entered, but ive now since switched my focus to endurance mountain events.... Keep going on your journey mate

[@michaelgraycycling]

The journey has been great fun so far. Love it. Thank you. And well done nice work! Are you racing in the UK?

[@Steve-jo3cl]

@@michaelgraycycling nah mate I’m in Australia….

[@michaelgraycycling]

Ah nice. Would love to go there one day. Gran fondo champs are there next year. Just dont think I can afford to get out there 😢

[@Steve-jo3cl]

@@michaelgraycycling i can assure you its a Looonnnng flight i spent a few years in london when i was a lot younger working in bars

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@Steve-jo3cl ah cool. Youre def not missing out on the weather here right now so don’t worry about that long flight to come back! 😆

[@Chairboys]

Love the story. The journey. The passion and how humble you are. Kudos. Certainly inspiring me to move my arse out of a low period of motivation 😢

[@michaelgraycycling]

Great to hear. Get yourself out in the weekend 🙌

[@chrismaxny4066]

I'm 73 and still riding though never raced or even wanted to just love to ride. Had a bit of a scare on my last ride caused by drinking very little water on an 18 mile ride. Although the ride was a factor it was compounded by my not drinking anything for two hours after the ride. Luckily my wife is a doctor and all my symptoms were cleared up by drinking water with electrolytes in a half hour. One of my friends, who is also a doctor had several strokes which left him unable to walk or speak correctly, told me that bike riding saved my life. Got into cycling in my thirties by first doing spinning classes. It led to many years of long distance cycling.

[@michaelgraycycling]

Lucky your wife is a doctor! Sorry to hear about your friends. But its great you’ve been riding all that time. Glad you found cycling! Bet you’ve got some great stories and memories from that time

[@andrewbutterly1566]

This was fantastic, everything you said hit and hurt, I genuinely felt how sincere you are was refreshing and I’ll be supporting you and your journey from here on. I had similar cycling journey and by chance bought the same bike after starting in 2020.

[@michaelgraycycling]

Wow that’s cool. Which colour way for you buy?!

[@andrewbutterly1566]

@@michaelgraycycling fluoro one after 6 weeks on a complete banger. Fat slow but looked fast. Cat 1 next year now after doing exactly what you did. Can’t beat it keep up the good work sir

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@andrewbutterly1566 ah brilliant, you got cat 1 this year!? Nice colour way!

[@justinbrown6558]

Great video Michael. Enjoyed watching it very much. Congratulations on your progress so far. I enjoy watching your videos as they inspire me, just as you enjoy watching Jeff (me too, btw). After a few years of trying different approaches, I have just started a hip mobility program, and already I can tell that this is going to lead me back to racing again, it’s such a comprehensive program. As your video was informative and entertaining, you should do updates on training/club rides, etc. it doesn’t just have to be about racing. The watt life has interesting content too. 👍🏻

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@justinbrown6558 thanks Justin. Would be great to see you racing again. And yes I’ve got a few video ideas to use over the coming months. So hopefully I can make them fun. Funnily enough I was watching The Watt Life yesterday and his steepest streets video. He lives roudn the corner from me as he does a chaingang in my neck of the woods

[@crosshaircycling7156]

Awesome inspiring video mate. Great production and story telling too. Look forward to seeing the vid of how you got your win as it seems inevitable now 💪🏻🏆

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@crosshaircycling7156 just editing the next race 🙏

[@jameswhite1692]

Wow what an amazing story. Hope the good keeps coming your way MG.

[@michaelgraycycling]

Thanks a lot and you. Glad you enjoyed the video. The follow up race to this video is just here kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHKnfqiemr6Laq8si=lhTbyDqEiKMBnRE2

[@joegamas1194]

Thanks Michael, what an awesome video so funny but yet so inspiring, don’t ever ever ever give up because I know deep in my heart that you will win your first race, soon, i too have cancer ( non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma ) and what cycling has taught me is….. how tough and resilient I really am. I also discover that I can go further than I ever dreamed of and how tough my body really is Keep on peddling because tomorrow is never promised, cheers my friend

[@michaelgraycycling]

Thanks for the comment. And yes totally, it’ll keep you tough and resilient for when this kind of adversity gets sent your way. I hope your cancer journey is going in a positive direction 🙏

[@jamesyoung6955]

Great video mate, awesome to watch.

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@jamesyoung6955 thank you 👍

[@joemartnz]

Nice vid Michael. Keep doing what you love. People underestimate the mental impact that has as well. Good to hear you 're feeling a lot better after the big C and that your health was a great help to that too. I've had heart attacks and makes me wonder, if they'd have happened earlier or been more severe it I wasn't exercising too. Keep up pthe great work making motivating vids!

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@joemartnz thank you Joe. And yes I totally get that line of thinking. Even when I found out I had it, one thing that put me at ease was the fact that I was in a fantastic place with my fitness levels. Which in turn gave me that mental reassurance. Glad that your staying healthy and fit. When adversity throws itself at you, you’ll always be ready

[@neilgmarsh4751]

Not race, but do gravel, Mtb and road rides. I was the Asst Nat Coach to the Welsh Cycling Union, and BSCA Nat Coach, early 2000’s. Also was the PTI/ Self Defence instructor the City of London Police, 1985-1994. Got a 2nd Dan in Tae Kwondo, 1st Dan in Taiho Jutsu. Was also able to do a 1,000 km ride across the USA/Canada 1994. This year I’ve done a 40 mile gravel event, 62 mile road event and a 72 mile road event, at 67! So, fit and active, doing yoga, Pilates, martial arts stretching, circuits, weights. Done Alpe d’Huez, Col du Glandon, Col du Croix de Fer and a 101 solo charity ride in the last few years. Gotta keep doing g it as no one else is gonna do it for me. Living in North Wales, there’s so much amazing terrain up here! KEEP PEDALLING!

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@neilgmarsh4751 nice. Keep adding to that list, making awesome memories and stay healthy. Pedal on!

[@Igor_mora]

Man, you made me cry, twice… keep your path! Good luck

[@michaelgraycycling]

Thank you :) here’s the race that followed up from this video “Cyclist Caught Cheating On His OWN Camera” kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHKnfqiemr6Laq8

[@r.simonfi1183]

Great video! I’ve raced against you at the Bomber and Hillingdon cat4/3 . Keep pushing and stay away from the crashes!! 👏

[@michaelgraycycling]

Thanks. How did you get on this year racing?

[@jamesmutton6070]

Great video! The power of cycling is amazing!

[@michaelgraycycling]

Thanks 😃 the latest video on the channel is the race that followed up from this video

[@peterm4969]

Great video Michael! Absolutely loved it

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@peterm4969 thank you 👍 I’m glad you loved it. Hope this channel has some more great videos for you to enjoy 😀

[@lexington476]

1:04 no no no no, everyone knows FTP stands for file transfer protocol 😀😄😀.

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@lexington476 😂 there is that

[@CharlesM236]

Hahahahahah yes it is just bits hits

[@lexington476]

@@CharlesM236 its all bits and data.

[@malcolmbagley7068]

every one over the age of 45...?

[@philreeves1178]

Great video, you are a natural on camera and I love you sense of humour 👍

[@michaelgraycycling]

Thanks 😃 the race video that follows up from this one is just here kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHKnfqiemr6Laq8si=-w_l6gRuRLPARpbQ

[@allisonjslehtinen9517]

INSPIRING! AWESOME! Wonderful to find this on YT. This vid made me laugh and cry. Me, 60, fat, old lady who has ridden all my life, mainly touring and just for the love of it! From Wokingham, now working in India, you have inspired me to do 2 things 1. save up and buy the indoor machine setup, 2. Face the Indian traffic chaos and get out there on my bike. Thank you and good luck!

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@allisonjslehtinen9517 wow I’m from Reading. Went to school in Wokingham. Im so glad this video reached you out in India! ❤️ And yes keep riding 😀 I hope you get the set up! Thank you so much for your comment

[@Ritcheyspokes]

Yooooo, great story. I have at least 3 bikes in my house at any given time being I buy then sell. Keep telling myself that this is the bike. So was my 13k Supersix HiMod from 2010 but I sell it. Then think I will try MTB. Then I buy an MTB and think I want to road ride. Needless to say, I have rode maybe 25 miles this year. This is the video that gives me the ick. Ick about my laziness and I just have to get out there. If I work my way up to 25 miles I can do a group ride out of a shop here. Thanks for the motivation.

[@michaelgraycycling]

You’re welcome. Get out and enjoy the ride. Where are you from? Getting with a group will definitely helps when starting as you’ll want to see them, well that’s what I found anyway :)

[@juliankent6285]

Im on the same journey, fell in love with cycling, then found out I have cancer. I carried on cycling right up until my operation and I'm now 4 weeks post op and I'm back on the bike. I'm still waiting to see if my operation was successful but cycling has really helped with my mental health as well as physical. Really enjoyed watching your post.

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@juliankent6285 likewise. I carried on cycling right up to the day of the operation. Wanted to feel strong going into it. Fingers crossed the operation was successful 🙏 its anxious wait waiting to find out. I think I had to wait a couple of weeks. And that time was arguably harder than waiting for the operation. If you ever want to chat just drop me a dm on Instagram. Same name on insta as it is on here :)

[@dominik262]

True hero!!! Looking forward for you to win!

[@michaelgraycycling]

Thank you. The next race video that follows up from this is just here kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHKnfqiemr6Laq8si=-w_l6gRuRLPARpbQ

[@cristianditommaso81]

You're a local hero man!

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@cristianditommaso81 where are you from?

[@crillesryggsack2860]

Just found your channel today. I love it so far. Also just found the interest for cycling (gravel bike) this year.

[@michaelgraycycling]

Brilliant. I think the favourite video I’ve done was the London to Paris videos that I posted a year ago. Got a new video up Sunday. Where are you from? I’ve not tried gravel

[@crillesryggsack2860]

@@michaelgraycycling Ill check those videos out tonight! I am from Sweden. There are great races for gravel bikers aswell, but the terrain takes a while to get used to.

[@michaelgraycycling]

Yea I can imagine. All sorts of varied terrain. I bet it’s stunning out there for that kind of riding

[@markhallsworth4111]

Wow, love this video…well done you are awesome ❤

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@markhallsworth4111 hey man thanks for the great comment. Means a lot. This is the race that follows up from this video :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHKnfqiemr6Laq8

[@veloperformance]

I did not know you had cancer only your friend. Great video and great inspiration and grit to show your kids. Keep on keeping on Michael.

[@michaelgraycycling]

Thank Simon. I hope to be back down in Devon soon 🙏 however you’re always in the sun so doubt you’ll be there haha

[@veloperformance]

@@michaelgraycycling if you come this way come say HI and let me know if b4 hand 😎

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@veloperformance 100% will

[@trampustrampi3773]

Very nice video,, ❤ all the best for you and family.. 🚴‍♂️.

[@michaelgraycycling]

Thank you. I hope you enjoy the channel. The video that follows up from this is just here kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHKnfqiemr6Laq8si=plEZ63XdxypWS8Hz

[@ChrisPriceYoutube]

Thanks for sharing this. Think I’m down the road from you in LE. Glad you’ve made a recovery and doing epic rides in memory of your friend. Keep up the racing and TTs 🚴

[@michaelgraycycling]

L.Earley? Thanks! Do you ride as well?

[@ChrisPriceYoutube]

⁠@@michaelgraycycling L Earley indeed! Ride solo, steady plods around the area, usually around Hurst and Twyford. Got a couple of gravel bikes, one as a daily driver and the other for weekends. Not as fast as you but they get me out and enjoy the headspace cycling gives you while having a fun time

[@michaelgraycycling]

Ah awesome. I literally ride around hurst and twyford everyday as they’re my favourite training loops. I don’t have a gravel bike unfortunately, but down at Reading CC they have plenty of gravel rides and steady paced rides if you ever fancy meeting up with some like minded local folk. They’re (we’re) a great bunch 😀

[@capnsabotage]

ah man i've got cancer as well! i was training for the crit season here in the US when i found out, and i also think that being healthy and active made my treatment and prognosis better! keep riding man!

[@michaelgraycycling]

Being healthy and active will put you in the perfect position to fight it. So stay positive knowing that you’re in fantastic shape. 🔥🔥 If you ever want to reach out privately about it, my Instagram is the same name as this channel 🙂

[@trgodspeed]

This is absolute gold!!!! 🎉

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@trgodspeed thanks man! Plenty of other races and content on the channel for you to enjoy 😃 😅 make sure you’re subscribed for the next vid. It’s a shame when people watch a good a video then don’t see the next one!

[@n2alps]

I also started cycling in lockdown and became addicted to it 😂 best thing ever! So happy to hear the same thing happened to you

[@michaelgraycycling]

Brilliant. What type of riding do you do? Road as well?

[@pantorepay]

this was great, thanks for sharing mate!

[@michaelgraycycling]

You’re welcome 🙂 do you ride?

[@pantorepay]

@@michaelgraycycling yeah, i just noticed that I commented with my company's profile. Take care and keep riding!

[@greggy5723]

Love the video man, Cycling is something that is truely a life changing sport !

[@michaelgraycycling]

Thank you! And it sure is. How long you been riding?

[@greggy5723]

@@michaelgraycycling Same as you during the pandemic, got bullied a lot so I tried it and its not even the losing weight part thats the best, its just really fun.

[@greggy5723]

Any suggestions on how to improve?

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@greggy5723 that’s a hard thing to say when I don’t know what you’re currently doing. In which case I’d say make sure you have the basics nailed. 1) be consistent, as that is what will keep you progressing. 2) Try to eat natural foods and cut out overly processed food. 3) a big one for me was no longer drinking / severely cutting it right out. It’s got my weekends back and I have a tonne of energy. 4) Make sure you get good sleep. That’s when the recovery process really can do it’s job at helping the body adapt. 5) if you’re addicted like me and could ride and have the time to ride everyday. Stop. And just give yourself at the least 1 day off.

[@TheRedster]

Huge respect for all of this, great video!

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@TheRedster thanks Red. I’ve been following your journey since I started cycling. I doubt you’ll remember but I remember trying to pick your brains about what tyre pressure to run for my first Guilford crit 😂 I hope your recovery from your crash is going well, looked really nasty.

[@Marco_mit_c_ohne_k]

I can´t imagine biking in Australia, all the driving on the wrong side and the potential risk of falling off the earth. :O Big cheers mate, sports in general can safe a lot of lives. Cycling, swimming, calisthenics you name it whatever, can keep you healthy and sane wich otherwise makes you resilent. Your history also showed me that there is no shortcut to success.

[@michaelgraycycling]

100%. People really underestimate the power of exercise. A lot of people look at it as form to “look good”. But as I’ve got older, I’ve realised, the true health benefits, the strength it can lean back on when it goes into dark adversity and the mental power of trusting the fact you’ve been leading a health lifestyle, really is the magic key. And exactly what you said. Cycling, swimming, anything you like. Find what you love and it will always feel fun and help keep you young

[@harryvanrijn6366]

65 now and cycled all my life. Never raced but still do 100km+, things like Bielerhohe in Austria (1000m elevation). Keep going outside, inside I do spinning classes, core and cardio. This combination is vital.

[@michaelgraycycling]

That place looks stunning. One for my to do list! Keep on cycling! ❤️

[@markigoe9150]

Love this video very refreshing Natural and more people ✨️ should try new thing's

[@michaelgraycycling]

Thank you 😄 and 100% agree. Life’s to short not to!

[@petercaro384]

I had lymphoma in 1997.Was a cat 1 then following year had a year off.Went back to cat 1 in 1998.Cycling saved me because i was fit at the time.Wish u every success with your cycle racing career. Your video is very inspirational

[@michaelgraycycling]

That’s amazing Peter. You in the uk? Cat 1 is an incredible level to get to, let alone get back to after that, so fair play 🔥 thanks for your kind words

[@petercaro384]

@michaelgraycycling in UK.I was young then only 25 upon diagnosis. Keep going.Hope ken takes u far

[@petercaro384]

I had hodgkins disease.

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@petercaro384 ah cool did you race any names that went on to make it big?? I hope so too, just editing my next video which is a race at Hillingdon so hopefully it brings back some memories!

[@petercaro384]

@@michaelgraycycling I raced with Matt Stephens when I was a junior as I was in the hemel cc with him & then Roger Hammond & David Millar.I know Paul Crook as we're both same age.Matt was so talented but had bad luck getting a pro contract abroad.Glad I raced when I did because there were more races on the road.Weve lost loads of road circuits over the years for various reasons.

[@carsonetnyre5957]

inspirational mate!

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@carsonetnyre5957 thank you Carson. First time watcher of the channel?

[@saracen888]

Oats and protein shake recipe please mate

[@michaelgraycycling]

I normally use Oats (1g per kg of bodyweight) Milk Protein scoop Banana If particularly hard I’ll add in a tablespoon of honey

[@paganmonkey4439]

Brother the bike is your friend respect.

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@paganmonkey4439 thank you. I hope you enjoy the channel 😄

[@Vloggingoggin]

I just got back into cycling after 5 years off the bike! I'm totally hooked again, been riding with some buddies who are way faster and its given me so much motivation to push myself and get back in shape!

[@michaelgraycycling]

That’s brilliant. Welcome back to it! You in the uk?

[@Vloggingoggin]

@@michaelgraycycling Nope NYC! Definitely a bit harder to find nice rides within the city but its better with friends

[@michaelgraycycling]

Ah I can imagine. I’ve been there once and can imagine it be a nightmare. Just laps if Central Park?

[@Vloggingoggin]

@@michaelgraycycling prospect! its basically a mini central park in Brooklyn!

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@Vloggingoggin ah cool. Funnily enough we have a “prospect park” in Reading to where where I’m from 😃

[@LeeWright]

Really enjoyed that! Thanks for sharing your journey with us.

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@LeeWright thanks. Hope to be out on some rcc rides now the race season is over. So hopefully bump into you

[@LeeWright]

@@michaelgraycycling I can feel the pull of the Turbo getting stronger and stronger now the weather is turning, and i'm building a new bike! looking forward to meeting though, ill look out for you on the roster.

[@michaelgraycycling]

@LeeWright yea I hate this weather that coming. What bike you building? Winter bike?

[@LeeWright]

@@michaelgraycycling Na a new road bike for next year - kinda going all out on a really sexy build. I cracked my stem on my current bike last weekend so its been moved onto turbo duties for now and I will probably come out on my gravel bike.

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@LeeWright ah yea I see that. That’s a shame 😢 looking forward to seeing what you do on your build.

[@karenjones3051]

I think I can predict your next race result…nice vid, you are an inspiration to many I’m sure, who cares if you win or what evs, just ride, I survived covid as my lungs were so strong, I think as many people as possible need to exercise for preparation for health issues, keep it up, nice bike though

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@karenjones3051 thank you Karen. Next race video should be up in the next couple of days so you can find out what happens 👀 100% agree. The healthier you are before adversity bites you the better place you’ll be to fight the problems.

[@dudefromlaveenaz]

People who don't cycle don't get it. It's very therapeutic, challenging, and addictive

[@michaelgraycycling]

Yeap highly!

[@wherespinto]

Hell ya keep crushing 💪

[@michaelgraycycling]

Thank you 🔥 I’ve got a couple of your videos in my watch list to catch up on 😄

[@crossrich]

This is a brilliant video Michael. I watched your videos a lot to get me started in racing at Abingdon and elsewhere after starting in a similar way with zwift etc. I've not been as successful as you but steadily making progress as a cat 4 and even started making my own race videos to inspire others. Keep your content coming and good luck with getting the upgrade. Maybe try cross in the winter? 😃

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@crossrich glad to hear it. I raced yesterday at Abingdon funnily enough. Ok just editing last weeks race video and I’ll do that one next. So hopefully it keeps you motived going into more indoor training! That’s brilliant I’ll have a watch. Cross i hate getting cold and muddy 😂 and also I don’t have the funds to buy another bike. By the time I look at another bike I’ve already done some sort of upgrade or repair to wipe me out again 😆 Did you race at Abingdon yesterday?

[@crossrich]

@@michaelgraycycling nope I've hung up the crit bike for the year. Next year I'm hoping to do a more targeted program of races I have been competitive at and hopefully make it up to cat 3 or get a podium 🙄. I'm also going to target more BMCR road races. Looking forward to your Abingdon video ! Cheers

[@michaelgraycycling]

Cool. I’ve heard a lot about these BMCR races. I may have to have a nose.

[@mick6ful]

Inspiring stuff thank you

[@michaelgraycycling]

You’re welcome and thank you too. I hope you enjoy the channel. I think my most inspiring video was the one we did where me and Ben did London to Paris. Feel free to have a nose 🙂

[@framedman]

Mate, amazing story. I still have hopes of winning Paris Roubaix at 40 years old with an FTP just under 300 but hey ho, your video has given me hope I might be able to win something one day 😂. Good how you didn't/don't take yourself too seriously and you even mugged yourself off for buying the SystemSix. Still save you a few watts in the crit. Could be the difference TBF. I now live in Spain and I'm not sure they have crits over here but there's plenty of road races, albeit on open roads (which kinda defeats the object of it) so something to aim for. Watched till the end, good on ya. Keep it up and all the best.

[@michaelgraycycling]

Haha Paris Roubaix here you come. Love the systemsix. In fact I’ve had it 2-3 years now and not once have I felt the urge to buy a new bike, as I genuinely think she’s beautiful. 🥰 Nice what part of Spain? It’s currently raining here in the uk so I have a lot of indoor training coming up now 😢 Would love to race abroad. Few friends are about to race the Mallorca Masters

[@framedman]

​@@michaelgraycycling Yeah, if I was gonna get an aero bike, I'd choose that, nicest looking and I think independently of the marketing, it is one of, if not the, fastest bikes, just a shame you need to remortgage your house for it 😂. I live in Girona, the new home of cycling 😂. But there's something for everyone round here, a lot of gravel but the smooth and quiet roads with courteous drivers, the mountains, the coast and all the hills in between make it perfect. Also, it's sunny and warm most of the time. Plenty of events out here for all disciplines and obviously a fair few pros, so you see them out all the time. I don't even bother to compare Strava these days when they zoom past me mid interval uphill 😅.

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@framedman yea they’re very expensive new. I bought mine used which made the price slightly more acceptable! I don’t think I could ever spend the money for a brand spanking new bike. Ah nice. Reading CC are planning a cycling holiday there next year so you may possibly see some blue jerseys around in about May! I think one of my friends also did a big gravel event there in the summer. I can’t remember the name of it though

[@framedman]

@@michaelgraycycling ​@michaelgraycycling it was more than likely The Traka, although it could also have been Sea Otter but the former is larger. Yeah, do come, pal, I'm sure you'd love it. If your club rides are roughly 30kmh in zone 2, would love to show you around 😊.

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@framedman The Traka that’s the one he did! Feel free to add me on Instagram so if I do ever come out with the club to say. Same name as the channel 🙂

[@RolandRides]

I'm at day 1002 but haven't lost any weight after the initial 3 months :(

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@RolandRides I haven’t so much focused on that aspect. I’ve always been quite focused on training and increasing performance for racing. So weight has naturally dropped off as the intensity has increased over the time. I’m doing between 90mins to 3 hours a day x6 times a week training for races. So I guess it depends how much your riding and your lifestyle :)

[@zubayrbhyat8077]

I empathise. 2021 was the year I fell in love with cycling. Now I do a mix of gravel / MTB. It's all about the riding now.

[@michaelgraycycling]

Brilliant. I haven’t been on a mountain bike really since a teenager, quite tempted to for winter.

[@zubayrbhyat8077]

@@michaelgraycycling Gravel will work :) MTB hardtails are good for winter though if you're roughing it through singletrack on the weekend.

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@zubayrbhyat8077 any channels you follow that have a gravel mtb is the main content? Need some inspo!

[@tman1500]

Almost exact same story as me bro. I even bought a systemsix!

[@michaelgraycycling]

You started riding same time too? And yea!!! The best bike!!! 😍😍😍

[@rickjenkins6438]

Brilliant. Well done you 🎉

[@michaelgraycycling]

Thanks ✌️

[@Montytobin]

one of the crit racing clips is at oddown which is my local!

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@Montytobin it is. From last year. The white lake cheese race I think it was called. However my GoPro died on the last 3 laps and I got 5th. Shame! You race there much?

[@Montytobin]

@michaelgraycycling nah I'm a mountain biker really never done a road race but I'm getting into it a bit more!

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@Montytobin fair enough. Well hopefully see you on a road race one day 😀

[@Montytobin]

@@michaelgraycycling yeah once i get those watts up 😉

[@michaelgraycycling]

Get them up and see you soon! 🫡

[@andreika7924]

здоровья и удачи тебе,бро!

[@michaelgraycycling]

Thank you 😃

[@NoahStephens]

Imagine if a man was “disgusted” by his wife when she exercised.

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@NoahStephens no the equivalent would be, me being disgusted with my wife growing her leg hair. Which I probably would be 😂

[@andrewbutterly1566]

The ick is standard, my wife and kids are full ick mode since day one. I don’t blame them. Cos I look super hot in Lycra for a 45 year old middle weight hairy animal. In my defence my FTP is higher than my wife’s so last laugh to me 😂😂

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@andrewbutterly1566 🤣🤣🤣 last laugh to you 😂

[@neilgmarsh4751]

Weird, I lost my best friend to prostate cancer at the same time as I found I had a carcinoid lump in my lung. Had it removed 18 mths ago, still riding and training hard!!!

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@neilgmarsh4751 glad you got it checked out and removed. I had ignored my lump for like 6 months before getting it checked and it was partly due to what Steve was going through that made me do so. Glad to hear your still riding and training hard 🔥 do you race?

[@wedgett1]

Well done legend!

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@wedgett1 thanks 😀

[@robinsonpp010]

That was super inspirational ❤

[@michaelgraycycling]

Thank you! Do you ride?

[@jonathangiles4854]

Great video - subbed!

[@michaelgraycycling]

Many thanks 😀

[@Dustydayzz]

bro im gonna need u to stop talking about my life on a public platform 🤣...your cycling genesis and journey is exactly mine

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@Dustydayzz haha brilliant. Whereabouts are you from?

[@riyaad__7270]

JULIA! SHE IS THE ONE! ☺️🔥

[@michaelgraycycling]

You know it 😍

[@gregoriohb]

You're aewesome! Keep it up. New sub here.

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@gregoriohb thank you man. Much appreciated 🤘

[@DigitalDimi]

Thank you for the inspiration!

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@DigitalDimi your welcome. Do you ride?

[@DigitalDimi]

@@michaelgraycycling I used to ride every single day back when I was between 10 and 14. I trainer Tennis every single day and I used my bike to go to the courts. But I got hit by a car pretty badly and had to quit my tennis carrer. After that... life happened :) And back in 2021 I bought an MTB (a cheap one) just to get some physical movement. I was 110 KG :) On my first ride I thought I was going to die on my first try on the local climb - some 500m 7% :D But I went out the next day and the next one... and After a month I was getting that climb without an issue :) This is how I went back to cycling. In 2024 I bought my first road bike - Orbea Orca - something all carbon with Shimano 105. So far I've ridden over 1000 kms on it, I went on a 75 km race - finished 25th of over 200 participants. And I'm feeling superb, currently standing at 93KG, my endurance is good - I can ride for over 100-120 kms without issues (if I get the right energy and fluids while riding). Yes! Cycling changed my life to better. Going out event for a quick ride (like an hour) is refreshing, it brings back my creative thinking and make me happier, calmer and better person. Keep inspiring people! Your story is deep, insightful and strong!

[@michaelgraycycling]

Well done for getting back moving again and finding the confidence to get back on the bike. As I can imagine it be very odd putting from the memories of getting hit. That’s a great result. Yes getting out there for a quick spin does wonders for the mind 😀

[@talk2thoran]

@0:23 What a cool guy!

[@michaelgraycycling]

😂 so cringe haha

[@MustafaSalihATES-ft6vf]

Bruh god created you so perfect. Your eyes ocean.

[@michaelgraycycling]

😆

[@Krizefugl]

Biking isn't about winning races. It is about the journey and biking itself. At least for me it is.

[@michaelgraycycling]

Thanks for the comment! Lots of great reasons to ride :)

[@Ejstrainingcamp]

This is awesome!

[@michaelgraycycling]

Thanks mate, your videos and edits also have a part to play in keeping me sane when training indoors. And your orginal couch to crit really helped me stay motivated early doors. I think I’m on day 4 today of your daily vlog ✌️my first thought has been with the daily vlog and these daily tasks - I hope you don’t burn out juggling it with the videos!

[@Ejstrainingcamp]

@@michaelgraycycling

[@conan_der_barbar]

I'm in the market for a new bike, so I stopped the video at 7:45 to fall in love with my new Julia without the true words about it not working making you faster

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@conan_der_barbar get yourself a Julia ❤️🥰

[@pompeymonkey3271]

If you are consistently getting in the top 6, you'll win if you keep on trying!

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@pompeymonkey3271 got to keep on trying! Thanks!

[@emanuelegiansanti8634]

The level of editing is top notch 😂❤

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@emanuelegiansanti8634 thanks man. I spend half my week pressing “control alt delete” in hope that it magically comes together😂

[@conan_der_barbar]

I think I watched all the same videos like you (gcn, nocal) but didn't do any of the racing/actually improving 😅

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@conan_der_barbar you got to test to see if what they say works 😄😄😄

[@conan_der_barbar]

As someone how doesn't know about crit racing: could you stay in cat 3 until you win a race?

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@conan_der_barbar good question. I need to get a 5th pace or better to upgrade to cat 2. So if I was about to not win - I’d have to make sure I don’t get 2nd to 5th place. - as between 2nd and 5th would give me enough points to upgrade. Or…. Stop racing for this season, let my points reset for next year back to 0, and try the season again. If that makes sense.

[@Thezuule1]

It's like that joke, "I smoked crack one time... for five years."

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@Thezuule1 😂

[@fatbloaterdave]

I very much relate to this. Though my story went over more like 3500 days.

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@fatbloaterdave brilliant. What’s been the best thing you’ve gotten out of that 3500 days?

[@fatbloaterdave]

@@michaelgraycyclingfriends and adventure. As much as I’ve loved racing I can live without it as long as I can keep on adventuring with my friends.

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@fatbloaterdave yes for sure. I have to admit riding to Paris last year opened me up to another part of cycling I hadn’t done yet. Bit of a shame I haven’t got another decent trip like that again this year.

[@fatbloaterdave]

@@michaelgraycycling I’ve got two in the works for next year.

[@michaelgraycycling]

Awesome I’ll drop you a message 👌

[@jamesrhodes5305]

Amazing, achieved more on a bike in 4 short years than many in a lifetime. Incredible. Keep pushing 🦾

[@michaelgraycycling]

Thank you 🙏 definitely has become something I thoroughly enjoy. Do you ride?

[@jamesrhodes5305]

@@michaelgraycycling I do. Tried a bit of crit racing and big fan of Norcal vids too. I’m debating on if I should keep zwift racing through winter or be a bit more measured and knuckle down for some trainer road 😂. The amount of racing you have done in that short period is really impressive. Especially with young family.

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@jamesrhodes5305 I didn’t mention TrainerRoad in the video. But after I had worked my way through a couple of zwift plans TrainerRoad was my following step. Highly reccomend it. I think they’ve done updates to it as well recently. My business makes it quite good for training. I work early mornings and evenings. So I get the day time to train whilst kids are at school and wife is at work. So it doesn’t really get in the way. Unless I have a Saturday race which clashes with the odd kids club. I’m very lucky in that respect with time. Where did you race your crits?

[@X41N3]

ftp 195w at the start? that's pretty good..I could only do about 220w for 4 minutes. I'm still shit after a year of riding a mtb for fun. But I weigh 57kg's so that has something to do with this. my absolute best run was an avg of 24kph for 9.2km, felt like I was doing maybe 210-220w the entire time in zone 4. If I had a roadbike..that might make it 29kph avg

[@michaelgraycycling]

Ah yea you’re a lot lighter than me. When I did that 195watt I was probably like 77-79kgs! So like 2.5w/kg. But I did a race for a hour on zwift and averaged lower than that. So yea. Oh yea a road bike will be a lot faster, sometimes I barely have to pedal to go lay mountain bikes on the road. Keep having fun!

[@nikgracanin6180]

Bruv, the best pros ride zone 2 at 5w/kg, and their FTP is closer to 7w/kg than 6w/kg. It's crazy.

[@michaelgraycycling]

Extremely strong people. Just uploaded the latest race video. Hope you enjoy kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpOWdIajdtdsj7ssi=jB6AlpAwEBVwvtro

[@50Acres]

Nice, cycling is the best, and I haven't won a race since 2011 so don't feel bad!

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@50Acres what type of racing do you do

[@50Acres]

@@michaelgraycycling Hi, I do mountain biking, gravel, road and criterium. And that last race I won was the state criterium championships (cat 3). I won my masters category in 2012, but I don't count that because I was 5th in the race overall.

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@50Acres still best if your game grouo though! Take it! 😄 out of them disciplines, what’s your favourite

[@50Acres]

@@michaelgraycycling hmm I think I enjoy mountain biking the most in terms of sheer fun. Criterium probably my second favorite, and what i'm most suited for.

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@50Acres nice. I’ve not been on a mountain bike in years!

[@batbawls]

It must've been love

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@batbawls cracker of a song.

[@alpercino2172]

Day 19723 and counting. (54yrs)

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@alpercino2172 brilliant! What’s been your favourite moment in them 19723 days!?

[@noeldanganan1638]

I might have been you in a parallel universe

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@noeldanganan1638 lol based on what?

[@calvinhorner2734]

Sorry if I missed it in the video but what is your current weight and ftp

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@calvinhorner2734 hey, didn’t include this in the video as I was planning on doing another one, but last time I tested I did a 40min all out test. And coach has set me at 280 and I was 69-70kg at the time. So I’ve just hit 4w/kg for the first time. Which has been one of my other goals. Do you ride much also?

[@calvinhorner2734]

I am 17 and have been riding mountain bikes on and off but nothing consistent for about 5 years I did my first xc mountain bike race this year in April and from then on have been hooked on training averaging around 10 hours a week I just did my first ftp test a all out 20 minute test I did 326 watts so that puts my ftp at 310 my weight is 66 kg

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@calvinhorner2734 first race is all it takes to get hooked! I wish I could be 17 again! Keep at it. You in the UK?

[@viscabarca595]

@@michaelgraycycling 280 is pretty decent. Is there a goal hitting the 300? :D and how many hours do you train on average weekly?

[@michaelgraycycling]

@@viscabarca595 would be nice. I’d like to work my way towards 4.5w/kg. The last 40min test I did i held 270 for the first 20mins and 300 for the last 20mins. So I’m sure it’s doable. However crits which I mainly do are very stop start spiky efforts.

[@talonlan]

Good video, please stop saying Ick it is highly de motivational to here from loved ones that you look stupid when doing something you love.

[@michaelgraycycling]

I don’t care, I shave my legs happily 🙂

[@arya721]

Definitely has the social skills of someone who cycles 1,574 days

[@michaelgraycycling]

No idea if that’s a good thing!? But thanks for the comment 😂

[@Jeywrkscodm]

I wish I was financially stable so I can upgrade to a roadbike😢

[@michaelgraycycling]

No idea what your budget is but I started on a sub £1000 one. Heres the latest race video kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpOWdIajdtdsj7ssi=jB6AlpAwEBVwvtro

[@beginsitswright]

Nice video. But please don’t say the “ick”. You’re a bloke not an American girl. Enjoyed the content.

[@michaelgraycycling]

You have the Ick with me saying ick 😂

[@ravenilcorvo3218]

So now after 4 years your ftp Is?...🙂😂👋🏼

[@michaelgraycycling]

199 😂

[@vickyking3408]

Eh...its just sensible clothing,stop going on about it,if you own a gym you should keep fit anyway

[@michaelgraycycling]

.